[Bug 162965] Cell merge not possible if cells already merged

[bugzilla-daemon at bugs.documentfoundation.org]

https://bugs.documentfoundation.org/show_bug.cgi?id=162965

--- Comment #2 from Eyal Rozenberg <eyalroz1 at gmx.com> ---
(In reply to ady from comment #1)
> Two clicks are needed when using the Toolbar icon ("Merge and Center
> Cells"); the first click un-merges the (partially) merged area – this is the
> normal use-case when the user wants the merged area to be unmerged – and the
> second click merges the selected area.

But they're not needed. The user wants to merge the two cells - one of them
being already merged.

> The error message does not appear when using the aforementioned "Merge and
> Center Cells" toolbar icon.

All the more reason for it not to appear in this case as well :-)

> "Merge Cells"...  aimed at a
> range of cells that are either in one status or the other, not mixed.

Nope. It's a toolbar button, I should be able to press it given any rectangular
selection of cells. And - I am able to press it :-)

> The
> reason is that, when merging, additional options are available (e.g. when
> merging, what exactly should happen with the content of each cell in the
> selected area).

That's nice and all, but whether the options are offered on merging or not - it
is still possible to merge. If an option isn't offered - a default could be
chosen by LO, e.g. the same option chose for the original merge.

> When the additional options are not relevant, and users really want to
> "expand" the merged area, the simpler and effortless procedure is to select
> the "new target" range and click once on "Merge and Center Cells", followed
> by a second one-click on the same toolbar icon.

But I want to click "Merge cells". I don't want to keep that information in the
back of my mind and be told "don't do this".

> Changing the current behavior of the two specific actions ("Merge Cells" and
> "Unmerge Cells") could have negative effects.

Nothing that Edit > Undo won't fix.

> Considering the existence of such a simple and direct workaround (i.e. using
> the "Merge and Center Cells" toolbar icon, which shows no error message as
> desired, and clicking twice on the same exact place cannot be considered an
> exceptional effort), I doubt that changing the current behavior of the
> individual specific "Merge Cells" and "Unmerge Cells" actions is worth the
> time/resources.

It's not simple nor direct. I believe you think it is because you are used to
it and have accepted that logic. A typical user won't find it simple nor
direct: Not simple, because why would "merge cells" fail, but "merge and
center" succeed? It's illogical; and not direct, because the user will have no
reason to think of trying "merge and center".

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